Random access and random load dispensing unit

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a random access and random load dispensing unit including a housing, at least one support located in the housing and defining a first axis, a plurality of platforms movable along the support along the first axis, a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with the platforms, and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis and further movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in the bins.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/880,269 filed on Jun. 29, 2004. This application also claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/484,544 filed on Jun. 30,2003, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/801,321 filed onMar. 16, 2004, and U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No.60/576,005 filed Jun. 1, 2004, all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to dispensing units fordispensing items to individuals and, more particularly, to automated orcomputer-controlled dispensing units.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The typical pharmaceutical transaction entails a doctor ordering aprescription for a patient, the prescription being delivered to apharmacy, and the patient/customer picking up the finished prescriptionfrom the pharmacy.

The typical transaction requires face-to-face interaction between thepatient/customer and an available pharmacist, technician, or clerk inorder to receive or pick up the finished or filled prescription. Inconventional settings, a customer may be required to wait in line todrop off and/or pick up a finished prescription. Further, when thecustomer can pick up the prescription may be constrained by the hoursthat a particular pharmacy is open for business. This may result in lostpotential sales to a retail establishment in which a pharmacy is locatedbecause the customer may cancel a trip to the retail establishment thatthey otherwise might have made had the pharmacy been open. This may alsoresult in a delay for the customer to pick up time-sensitiveprescriptions. A device that allows a customer to pick up a finishedprescription without face-to-face contact with pharmacy staff would bewelcomed by customers in need of finished prescriptions and thepharmacies serving them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in one aspect, a random access andrandom load dispensing unit including a housing, at least one supportlocated in the housing and defining a first axis, a plurality ofplatforms movable along the support along the first axis, a plurality ofbins supported on the platforms, the bins being movable with theplatforms, and a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis andfurther movable along a second axis substantially perpendicular to thefirst axis between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieveproducts stored in the bins.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, a random access andrandom load dispensing unit including a housing, a shuttle assemblymovable in the housing to access and retrieve products stored in randomlocations in the housing, an access door pivotably coupled to thehousing, and a plurality of customer interface components coupled to theaccess door. At least one of the customer interface components isconfigured to determine an identity of a customer. The dispensing unitalso includes a computer in communication with the customer interfacecomponents. The computer is able to match the customer with at least oneof the products stored in the random locations in the housing. Thedispensing unit further includes a controller in communication with thecomputer for operating the shuttle assembly. The shuttle assembly isdirected to the location in the housing to retrieve the at least oneproduct for the customer.

The present invention provides, in yet another aspect, a random accessand random load dispensing unit including a housing, an access doorpivotably coupled to the housing, and a plurality of customer interfacecomponents coupled to the access door. At least one of the customerinterface components is configured to determine an identity of acustomer. The dispensing unit also includes at least one substantiallyvertically-oriented support defining a first axis and located in thehousing, a plurality of platforms movable along the first axis andcoupled to the support, and a plurality of bins supported on theplatforms. The bins are movable with the platforms to selectively allowonly the bins on one of the plurality of platforms to be accessed at agiven time. The dispensing unit further includes a shuttle assemblymovable along the first axis. The shuttle assembly is further movablealong a second axis and a third axis coplanar with the second axis. Thesecond and third axes are substantially perpendicular to the first axisand to each other. The shuttle assembly is movable along the second andthird axes between the plurality of platforms to access and retrieveproducts stored in the bins. The dispensing unit also includes acomputer in communication with the customer interface components. Thecomputer is able to match a particular product previously specified forthe customer with a random location in the housing in which theparticular product is stored. The dispensing unit further includes acontroller in communication with the computer for operating the shuttleassembly. The shuttle assembly is directed to the random location in thehousing to retrieve the specific product for the customer. Thedispensing unit also includes a dispense bin located in the access door.The dispense bin is movable between a first position, in which thedispense bin is deployed into the housing for the shuttle assembly todeposit the product into the dispense bin, and a second position, inwhich the dispense bin is retracted into the access door and the productis ready to be retrieved by the customer. The dispensing unit furtherincludes a dispense bin lid selectively covering the dispense bin. Thedispense bin lid is movable between a first position, in which theproduct in the dispense bin is inaccessible by the customer, and asecond position, in which the product in the dispense bin is accessibleby the customer for removal.

The present invention provides, in a further aspect, a container for usewith a vending apparatus configured to dispense pharmaceuticals, wherebythe vending apparatus utilizes an automated picker assembly to retrievethe container. The container includes a receptacle containing thepharmaceuticals, and a substantially rigid header coupled to thereceptacle. The header includes opposite end portions extending beyondan outer periphery of the receptacle, two apertures through the header,and a barcode label coupled to the header.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, a container for usewith a vending apparatus configured to dispense pharmaceuticals. Thevending apparatus utilizes an automated picker assembly to retrieve thecontainer. The container includes a receptacle having an open end todeposit therein the pharmaceuticals, and two opposing side wallsdefining in part the open end. The container also includes a headerhaving an insertion portion insertable into the open end of thereceptacle between the opposing side walls, opposite end portionsextending beyond an outer periphery of the receptacle, and two aperturesthrough the header, the apertures each defining a shape having an apex.The container further includes a label having a barcode printed thereon.A first portion of the label is coupled to one of the side walls of thereceptacle and to one side of the header. A second portion of the labelextends beyond an outer periphery of the header. The second portion ofthe label is configured to couple to a second side of the header and theother side wall of the receptacle to at least partially close the openend of the receptacle.

Other features and aspects of the present invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art upon review of the following detaileddescription, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a random access and random loaddispensing unit of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the dispensing unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a portion of the interior of thedispensing unit of FIG. 1, illustrating a portion of the internalcomponents of the dispensing unit;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a portion of the internalcomponents of the dispensing unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the internal components of the dispensing unitof FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a shuttle assembly of the dispensingunit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the shuttle assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a carriage and the shuttleassembly of the dispensing unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the carriage and the shuttleassembly of the dispensing unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the carriage and shuttle assemblyof FIG. 8 supported by a Z-axis support;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a dispense bin of the dispensingunit of FIG. 1, illustrating the dispense bin being deployed to receivea finished prescription;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the dispense bin of FIG. 11,illustrating a dispense bin lid in a closed position;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the dispense bin of FIG. 11,illustrating the dispense bin lid in an open position so the finishedprescription may be removed from the dispense bin;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the dispense bin of FIG. 11,illustrating a trap door being deployed to drop the finishedprescription from the dispense bin;

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of the dispense bin of FIG. 11,illustrating the trap door being moved to a closed or non-deployedposition;

FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of the dispense bin of FIG. 11,illustrating continued movement of the trap door toward its closed ornon-deployed position;

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the dispensing unit of FIG. 1,illustrating a plurality of distribution trays and the shuttle assembly;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a technician/pharmacist loading thedistribution trays with finished prescriptions;

FIG. 19 is a rear perspective view of the dispensing unit of FIG. 1,illustrating the technician loading distribution trays into thedispensing unit;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a first construction of a bag orcontainer for storing the finished prescriptions;

FIG. 21 is an exploded, front perspective view of another constructionof a bag or container for storing the finished prescriptions;

FIG. 22 is an assembled, rear perspective view of the bag or containerof FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a front perspective view of yet another construction of a bagor container for storing the finished prescriptions;

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of the random access and random loaddispensing unit of the present invention, illustrating a housing of theunit being vertically offset from an access door of the unit includingcustomer interface components;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart schematically illustrating the loading process ofthe dispensing unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart schematically illustrating the dispensing processof the dispensing unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart schematically illustrating the operationsperformed by the dispensing unit of FIG. 1 in dispensing a finishedprescription;

FIG. 28 is a partial cutaway view of the dispensing unit of FIG. 1,illustrating rear dispense of a finished prescription.

Before any features of the invention are explained in detail, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangements of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orbeing carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that thephraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including”, “having”, and “comprising” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. The use of letters to identify elements ofa method or process is simply for identification and is not meant toindicate that the elements should be performed in a particular order.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an automated random-access and random-loaddispenser or dispensing unit 100 which allows customers to purchaseproducts, particularly prescription medicines. As shown in FIG. 1, theunit 100 includes a housing 102, means to communicate with the customer(e.g., a touch screen 104, or the like), means to identify the customer(e.g., a magnetic stripe card reader 105), and means to accept paymentfrom the customer (e.g., a cash acceptor or a credit card reader 106).The credit card reader 106 can be utilized as the magnetic stripe cardreader 105 to identify the customer. The unit 100 may alternatively oradditionally include other identification readers, such as a barcodescanner 107 located at the front of the unit 100. The barcode scanner107 may work in conjunction with customer identification cards (e.g.,drivers licenses, etc.) and/or store cards (e.g., prescription drugcards, pharmacy discount cards, customer loyalty cards, etc.), whichtypically include a barcode to identify the customer. Further, otheridentification readers may be utilized, such as fingerprint readers andretinal scanners, for example, to identify the customer.

The touch screen 104 can also be utilized by the customer to initiatecustomer login. For example, the customer can utilize the touch screen104 to enter a user name or other identifying information, such as aprescription number. The touch screen 104 can further be utilized by thecustomer to verify their identity by inputting, for example, a password(e.g., a birth date, social security number, etc.) or a personalidentification number.

The unit 100 may also include a signature pad 304 on which the customermay record their signature to complete a purchase. Further, the unit 100may include a printer 305 (see FIG. 3) to output a receipt (throughdispense opening 306) to the customer for a record of the purchase. Theunit 100 may also include a camera 308 to monitor and/or recordcustomers' transactions with the unit 100. After a customer completes atransaction with the unit 100, the unit 100 may dispense a finishedprescription to a dispense bin 310 (see FIGS. 3-5), which is accessibleby the customer through a retractable dispense bin lid 312 (see FIG. 1).The dispense bin 310 and operation thereof will be discussed in greaterdetail below.

Alternatively, the unit 100 may incorporate more than one touch screen104, more than one magnetic stripe card reader 105 and/or credit cardreader 106, more than one barcode scanner 107, more than one signaturepad 304, more than one printer 305, more than one camera 308, and morethan one dispense bin 310 to allow more than one customer to utilize theunit 100 at a given time.

The customer interface controls or components, including the touchscreen 104, magnetic stripe card reader 105 and/or credit card reader106, barcode scanner 107, signature pad 304, receipt dispense opening306, camera 308, and dispense bin 310 are located on an access door 313coupled to the housing 102. The access door 313 may be pivotably coupledto the housing 102, such that an operator may pivot the access door 313away from the housing 102 to service the working components of the touchscreen 104, magnetic stripe card reader 105 and/or credit card reader106, barcode scanner 107, signature pad 304, receipt dispense opening306, camera 308, and dispense bin 310.

The unit 100 may incorporate a prescription drop-off bin 500 (see FIG.3) to allow a customer to drop off their prescription to be filled.Prescriptions may be inserted through a slot 500 in the access door 313to be collected by the drop-off bin 500. The prescription drop-off bin500 may be integrally formed with the access door 313. Alternatively,the prescription drop-off bin 500 may be a separate component from theaccess door 313 and positioned at a different location on the housing102. A pharmacist or technician may access the drop-off bin 500 byopening the access door 313 to retrieve the prescriptions deposited inthe drop-off bin 500.

The unit 100 also includes a computer 124 that is operable to interfacewith the touch screen 104, the credit card reader 106, the barcodescanner 107, the signature pad 304, and the receipt printer 305. Thecomputer 124 may be physically located almost anywhere in the unit 100,however, in the illustrated construction, the computer 124 is located inthe access door 313 of the unit 100. The computer 124 is shown as acomponent of the unit 100, but it will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that the computer 124 could be remote from theunit 100 and operate the unit 100 through an information connection,such as a network. Further, the computer 124 is shown as dedicated tothe unit 100, but multiple units 100 could operate off the same computer124. The unit 100 would not need its own computer 124, but instead couldoperate off a computer 124 housed in another unit 100 or not housedwithin a unit 100 at all. The housing 102 may further include aconveniently located countertop (not shown) to facilitate the customer'sinteraction with the unit 100.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the internal components of the unit 100. Twovertically-oriented platform support members 201 a, 201 b support aplurality of platforms 216, such that the platforms 216 are allowed totravel or maneuver along a vertical axis (i.e., Y-axis 112) inside thehousing 102. In the illustrated construction of the unit 100, theplatforms 216 are cantilevered off of the support members 201 a, 201 b.However, in alternative constructions of the unit 100, additionalsupport members may be utilized to support the front portions of the.platforms 216.

A plurality of vertically-oriented, or “Y-axis” support members 202a-202 d support a picker or shuttle assembly 208, such that the shuttleassembly 208 is allowed to travel or maneuver along a vertical axis(i.e., Y-axis 112) inside the housing 102. In addition, an “X-axis”support 222 or a carriage (also see FIGS. 8-10) allows the shuttleassembly 208 to travel or maneuver from side to side in the housing 102(i.e., along X-axis 120). Further, “Z-axis” supports 204 or carriagesupports (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 10) allow the shuttle assembly 208 totravel or maneuver from the front of the housing 102 to the rear of thehousing 102 (i.e., along Z-axis 116). The Y-axis supports 202 a-202 d,the X-axis support 222, and the Z-axis supports 204 combine to provide asupport structure allowing the shuttle assembly 208 to travel to anydefined location within the housing 102.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the X-axis support 222 is configured toreceive the shuttle assembly 208. As shown in FIG. 6, the shuttleassembly 208 includes an X-axis drive motor 314 to provide movement tothe shuttle assembly 208 relative to the X-axis support 222. To providesuch movement, the shuttle assembly 208 may utilize a pinion 315 coupledto the X-axis drive motor 314 to drivably engage a rack (not shown)fixed to the X-axis support 222. As such, rotation of the pinion 315 maycause the shuttle assembly 208 to move from side to side in the housing102. The X-axis drive motor 314 may interface with a controller 128,which may selectively activate the X-axis drive motor 314 when promptedby the computer 124. The shuttle assembly 208 may also include aplurality of roller bearings 316 (see also FIG. 7) to engage one or moresurfaces of the X-axis support 222 to secure the shuttle assembly 208 inthe X-axis support 222. Alternatively, other known drive structure maybe utilized to move the shuttle assembly 208 relative to the X-axissupport 222.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the shuttle assembly 208 also includesa positioning system or an “overtravel” system to detect the proximityof the shuttle assembly 208 to opposite end walls 318 of the X-axissupport 222 (see FIG. 8). Such an overtravel system may interface withthe controller 128 and the computer 124 to substantially prevent theshuttle assembly 208 from impacting the end walls 318 of the X-axissupport 222. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, theovertravel system includes an activation rod 320 slidably supported inthe shuttle assembly 208. The activation rod 320 is biased toward acentral position by springs 322 on opposite sides of the shuttleassembly 208. The activation rod 320 includes cam surfaces 324 that areengageable by respective followers 326 coupled to respective overtravelswitches 328.

During operation, the activation rod 320 may contact one of the endwalls 318 of the X-axis support 222 to move the rod 320 from its biasedcentral position. Depending on which end wall 318 is contacted, one ofthe springs 322 is compressed to gently slow down the shuttle assembly208. As the rod 320 is moved, one of the followers 326 is engaged by thecorresponding cam surface 324 on the rod 320 to trigger thecorresponding overtravel switch 328. Furthermore, the overtravelswitches 328 interface with the controller 128 and the computer 124 toalert the computer 124 when the shuttle assembly 208 is in closeproximity to one of the end walls 318 of the X-axis support 222 tode-activate or stop the X-axis drive motor 314. Alternatively, theovertravel system may be configured with non-contact switches (e.g.,light switches, magnetic switches, etc.) During impact, the springs 322also absorb at least a portion of the impact energy to substantiallyprevent damage to the shuttle assembly 208.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the X-axis support 222 includes aZ-axis drive motor 330. Like the X-axis drive motor 314, the Z-axisdrive motor 330 may drive one or more pinions 332 via a drivetrain (notshown), such that the pinions 332 engage a rack 334 fixed to one of theZ-axis supports 204 (see FIG. 10). As such, rotation of the pinions 332may cause the X-axis support 222 to move from the front of the housing102 to the rear of the housing 102. The Z-axis drive motor 330 mayinterface with the controller 128, which may selectively activate theZ-axis drive motor 330 when prompted by the computer 124. The X-axissupport 222 may also include a plurality of rollers 336 to engage one ormore surfaces of the Z-axis supports 204 to facilitate substantiallysmooth movement of the X-axis support 222 over the Z-axis supports 204.Alternatively, other known drive structure may be utilized to move theX-axis support 222 relative to the Z-axis supports 204.

With reference to FIG. 10, one of the Z-axis supports 204 includes aY-axis drive motor 338. The Z-axis supports 204 may also be structurallyinterconnected by one or more cross-members (not shown) such that onlyone Y-axis drive motor 338 is sufficient. Alternatively, both Z-axissupports 204 may include respective Y-axis drive motors 338 that aresynchronized. Like the X-axis drive motor 314 and the Z-axis drive motor330, the Y-axis drive motor 338 may include a pinion (not shown) coupledthereto to drivably engage a rack (not shown) fixed to one of the Y-axissupports 202 a-202 d. Alternatively, a multiple-gear gear train may beutilized between the pinion and the rack. As such, rotation of thepinion may cause the Z-axis supports 204 to move from the top of thehousing 102 to the bottom of the housing 102. The Y-axis drive motor 338may interface with the controller 128, which may selectively activatethe Y-axis drive motor 338 when prompted by the computer 124. The Z-axissupports 204 may also include a plurality of roller bearings 342 toengage one or more surfaces of the Y-axis supports 202 a-202 d tofacilitate substantially smooth movement of the Z-axis supports 204 overthe Y-axis supports 202 a-202 d. Alternatively, other known drivestructure may be utilized to move the Z-axis supports 204 relative tothe Y-axis supports 202 a-202 d.

As shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of prescription bags 212 are stored ina plurality of distribution bins or trays 214, which, in turn, aresupported by the plurality of platforms 216. The prescription bags 212may include one or more finished prescriptions or containers 902 (seeFIGS. 18 and 20) therein for packaging the prescription drugs. Further,instead of bags 212, other types of containers (e.g., clamshell-typecontainers, see FIG. 23) may be stored directly in the trays 214. Likereference numerals will be used to describe like components.

FIGS. 21-22 illustrate one construction of the prescription bags 212.Generally, each bag 212 includes a receptacle 508, in which the filledprescriptions or other products are positioned, and a header 512, whichcouples to the receptacle 508 and provides apertures 412 through whichhooks 410 (described below in greater detail) of the shuttle assembly208 are inserted to pick the prescription bag 212. In the illustratedconstruction, the prescription bag 212 is assembled from separatecomponents. However, in alternate constructions of the bag 212, thereceptacle 508 and the header 512 may be integrally formed with oneanother (e.g., in the clamshell-type container of FIG. 23).

As shown in FIG. 21, the receptacle 512 includes opposite side walls 516defining an open end of the receptacle 508. During assembly of the bag212, an insertion portion 520 of the header 512 is inserted into theopen end of the receptacle 508. The header 512 and the receptacle 508may be made from similar plastic materials and heat-staked orheat-sealed to one another. Then, a label 402 having a barcode 406printed thereon is coupled to one side of the header 512 and to one ofthe side walls 516 of the receptacle 508 (see FIG. 22). Moreparticularly, the label 402 includes an adhesive substance 524 on oneside thereof to couple to the header 512 and the receptacle 508. Aremovable backing 528 is joined to a portion of the side of the label402 having the adhesive substance 524. The backing 528 includes a tab532 to facilitate removal of the backing 528 from the label 402. Theportion of the label 402 with the backing 528 extends beyond an outerperiphery of the header 512.

The assembled bag 212, as illustrated in FIG. 22, is ready to receive afilled prescription therein. After receiving a filled prescription, thebacking 528 may be removed from the label 402, and the label 402 may befolded over the header 512 and secured to the other side of the header512 and the other side wall of the receptacle 508 to close the open endof the receptacle 508. The apertures 412 are configured with an apex,such that the header 512 is accurately and precisely oriented withrespect to the hooks 410 of the shuttle assembly 208 when theprescription bag 212 is picked. Alternatively, the apertures 412 may beconfigured with other shapes at least partially defining an apex (e.g.,a diamond, a pentagon, etc.), or the apertures 412 may becircular-shaped.

The headers 512 of the bags 212 include opposing alignment tabs 536 thatengage slots formed in the trays 214 to maintain consistent spacingbetween adjacent headers 512 of adjacent bags 212. Also, the alignmenttabs 536 facilitate reading of the barcodes 406 on the labels 402 byconsistently positioning the labels 402 so they are clearly presented tothe barcode reader 210.

FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative construction of the bag 212, in whichpaper or cardboard headers 512 may be used. The labels 402 may beprinted to the headers 512, and alternative methods may be used to closethe receptacle 508.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the platforms 216 are movable in relation toeach other so that a higher density of platforms 216, distribution trays214, and prescription bags 212 can be stored in the housing 102. Exceptfor the lower-most platform 216 that remains stationary, each platform216 includes means to raise and lower the platform 216 (e.g., gear motor220), thereby allowing the shuttle assembly 208 to reach a specificprescription bag 212 stored in a specific distribution tray 214.

With reference to FIG. 5, a staging area 302 toward the front of thehousing 102 is shown. The staging area 302 allows a working space forthe shuttle assembly 208 to be positioned or stored while the platforms216 are being moved in anticipation of accessing a particularprescription bag 212. In addition, the staging area 302 provides theworking area in which the shuttle assembly 208 delivers the selectedprescription bag 212 to the dispense bin 310.

The gear motor 220 may include a pinion (not shown) to drivably engage arack (also not shown) on the platform support 210 b. The rack utilizedby the platforms 216 is separate and distinct from the rack utilized bythe Z-axis supports 204, such that the platforms 216 and the Z-axissupports 204 may move without affecting one another. Alternatively, asingle motor or gear motor may be utilized to raise and lower all of theplatforms 216. In addition, hydraulic motors or pneumatic motors may beutilized in place of or in addition to the electric motors 220.

With reference to FIG. 7, the shuttle assembly 208 includes a barcodereader 210 for reading the barcodes 406 (see FIG. 22) on theprescription bags 212. In this way, the shuttle assembly 208 has thecapability to associate a specific prescription bag 212 with a randomstorage location in the housing 102. The shuttle assembly 208 may alsoinclude a bag sensor 540 configured to detect the presence of aprescription bag 212 in a specific slot in a tray 214. The bag sensor540 may be utilized in combination with the barcode reader 210, suchthat the bag sensor 540 may first detect whether or not a prescriptionbag 212 is located in a specific slot in a tray 214 before the barcodereader 210 attempts to scan the barcode 406 of the bag 212. If aprescription bag 212 is not detected in a particular slot in the tray214 by the bag sensor 540, then an attempt to scan the barcode 406 ofthe missing bag 212 is not made by the barcode reader 210. This mayallow for a more expedient process when inventorying the bags 212 in theunit 100, which is discussed in more detail below.

The barcode reader 210 is operable to interface with the computer 124 tooutput the locations of the individual bags 212 to a database program inthe computer 124. The database program thus provides an inventory of theprescription bags 212 stored in the unit 100. When it is desired toaccess a selected prescription bag 212, the controller 128 interfaceswith the computer 124, the gear motors 220 to control movement of theplatforms 216, and the drive motors 314, 330, 338 to control movement ofthe shuttle assembly 208, the X-axis support 222, and the Z-axissupports 204 to position the shuttle assembly 208 in a defined locationwithin the housing 102. In addition, the controller 128 may interfacewith a hook motor 364 in the shuttle assembly 208 to maneuver hooks 410to pick a selected prescription bag 212, which is discussed in moredetail below. Although the controller 128 is shown as a separatecomponent from the computer 124, it will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that the controller 128 and the computer 124may be incorporated into a single component.

FIG. 5 illustrates the shuttle assembly 208 delivering a selectedprescription bag 212 to the dispense bin 310 for delivering theprescription bag 212 to a specific customer. The selected prescriptionbag 212 originated from a random slot in a random distribution tray 214located toward the upper portion of the housing 102. Upon identificationof the customer, the computer 124 queried the database program toascertain the location of the selected prescription bag 212. When thelocation of the prescription bag 212 was determined, the controller 128interfaced with the lifting mechanism or gear motors 220 to raise thetop two platforms 216 to allow access to the distribution tray 214containing the selected prescription bag 212. The controller 128 theninterfaced with the drive motors 314, 330, 338 to maneuver the shuttleassembly 208 into place to select the prescription bag 212. Further, thecontroller interfaced with the hook motor 364 to maneuver the hooks 410through respective apertures 412 in the bag 212 to pick the prescriptionbag 212. Alternatively, more than one shuttle assembly 208 may be usedin the unit 100 to expedite retrieving more than one prescription bag212.

To dispense the selected prescription bag 212, the shuttle assembly 208is advanced toward the front of the housing 102 along the Z-axis 116,lowered along the Y-axis 112 to a position above the distribution tray214, then moved along the X-axis 120 to position the prescription bag212 directly above the deployed dispense bin 310, the operation of whichis described in more detail below. The hook motor 364 is then activatedto maneuver the hooks 410 to drop the prescription bag 212 into thedispense bin 310.

The dispense bin 310 is illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 11-16. Withreference to FIG. 11, the dispense bin 310 is movable between a deployedposition, in which the prescription bag 212 may be dropped into thedispense bin 310, and a non-deployed position (see FIG. 13), in whichthe prescription bag 212 is accessible to the customer for removal. Moreparticularly, as shown in FIG. 11, the dispense bin 310 is pivotablebetween its deployed and non-deployed positions by a drive train. Adispense bin drive motor 344 may include a pinion 346 coupled thereto todrivably engage a driven gear 544. A link 548 may be rotatably coupledat one end to the driven gear a distance from the rotational axis of thedriven gear 544. The link 548 may also be rotatably coupled at anopposite end to the dispense bin 310 a distance from a pivot point 348of the dispense bin 310. As such, the driven gear 544, link 548, and thedispense bin 310 effectively function as a crank-rocker mechanism inthat rotation of the driven gear 544 causes the dispense bin 310 topivot about its pivot point 348 between its deployed and non-deployedpositions.

Alternatively, other drive trains may be utilized, including fixing thedriven gear to the pivot point 348 of the dispense bin 310, such thatthe pinion 346 engages the driven gear and causes the dispense bin 310to pivot without utilizing the link 548. Alternatively, a multiple-geargear train may be utilized between the pinion 346 and the driven gear onthe dispense bin 310. Further, other known drive structures may beutilized to pivot the dispense bin 310 between its deployed andnon-deployed positions. A slip-clutch 349 may also be utilized in thedrive train of the dispense bin 310 to allow selective slippage betweenthe motor 344 and the dispense bin 310.

The dispense bin drive motor 344 may interface with the controller 128,which may selectively activate the dispense bin drive motor 344 whenprompted by the computer 124. With reference to FIG. 11, a productsensor 350 may be positioned in the dispense bin 310 to detect thepresence or absence of a prescription bag 212. The product sensor 350may interface with the computer 124 and the controller 128 to indicatethe presence or absence of a prescription bag 212 in the dispense bin310. In the illustrated configuration, the product sensor 350 is a lightsensor. An illumination bar 378 containing a plurality of illuminationdevices 380 (e.g., light emitting diodes, incandescent lights, and soforth) may be positioned above the dispense bin 310 when the dispensebin 310 is in its non-deployed position. The computer 124 may prompt thecontroller 128 to activate the illumination devices 380 when aprescription bag 212 is dispensed into the dispense bin 310 for thecustomers convenience in retrieving the prescription bag 212 from thedispense bin 310. In addition, if the product sensor 350 detects thatthe prescription bag 212 has not been removed by the customer after aperiod of time, the controller 128 may cause the illumination devices380 to flash to alert the customer to remove the prescription bag 212from the dispense bin 310.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the dispense bin lid 312 is movablebetween a closed position (see FIG. 12), in which the prescription bag212 is inaccessible to the customer, and an open position (see FIG. 13),in which the prescription bag 212 is accessible to the customer forremoval. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 12, the dispense bin lid312 is pivotable between its closed and open positions by a drive train.A dispense bin lid drive motor 352 may include a pinion 353 (see FIG.14) coupled thereto to drivably engage a driven gear 354 fixed to thedispense bin lid 312 at the pivot point of the dispense bin lid 312. Assuch, rotation of the pinion 353 may cause the dispense bin lid 312 topivot between its closed and open positions. Alternatively, amultiple-gear gear train may be utilized between the pinion 353 and thedriven gear 354 on the dispense bin lid 312. The dispense bin lid drivemotor 352 may interface with the controller 128, which may selectivelyactivate the dispense bin lid drive motor 352 when prompted by thecomputer 124. Alternatively, other known drive structures may beutilized to pivot the dispense bin lid 312 between its closed and openpositions. A slip-clutch 355 may also be utilized in the drive train ofthe dispense bin lid 312 to allow selective slippage between the motor352 and the dispense bin lid 312.

With reference to FIG. 12, the dispense bin lid 312 may be locked in itsclosed position by a solenoid 358 actuating a lock mechanism 374. Thelock mechanism 374 is biased to engage an aperture 572 in the dispensebin lid 312. A switch 376 (see FIG. 15) may be used in combination withthe computer 124 to detect whether the lock mechanism 374 is engagedwith the dispense bin lid 312 to lock the dispense bin lid 312, ordisengaged from the dispense bin lid 312 to unlock the dispense bin lid312.

With reference to FIG. 13, the dispense bin lid 312 is shown in the openposition to allow the customer to remove the prescription bag 212 fromthe dispense bin 310. If, however, the prescription bag 212 is notremoved from the dispense bin 310 after a predetermined period, thedispense bin lid 312 may be closed to prevent unintended disbursement ofthe prescription bag 212 to the wrong customer. The product sensor 350may be utilized to detect whether or not the prescription bag 212 isremoved from the dispense bin 310, and the product sensor 350 mayinterface with the controller 128 and the computer 124 to activate thedispense bin lid drive motor 352 to close the dispense bin lid 312.

With reference to FIG. 14, the dispense bin 310 may also incorporate atrap door 356 to allow the prescription bag 212 left in the dispense bin310 to be dropped from the dispense bin 310 into a return bin 552. Theprescription bags 212 dropped into the return bin 552 may then bere-checked by the pharmacist or technician and returned to adistribution tray 214 in the unit 100. In the illustrated construction,the return bin 552 is supported below the dispense bin 310 in the accessdoor 313. The pharmacist or technician may periodically check the returnbin 552 by opening the access door 313 and removing the return bin 552.The prescription bags 212 in the return bin 552 may then be reloadedinto the unit 100 as described in more detail below.

The trap door 356 is actuated by a solenoid 556 (see FIGS. 12 and 13)and a spring-biased latch mechanism 360. The solenoid is mounted on abracket 357 (see FIG. 14) coupled to the dispense bin 310. The solenoidmay interface with the controller 128, which may selectively activatethe solenoid when prompted by the computer 124. FIG. 14 illustrates thetrap door 356 in a deployed position, in which the prescription bag 212is allowed to drop from the dispense bin 310 and into the return bin552. To deploy the trap door 356, the controller 128 activates thesolenoid, which, in turn, retracts the spring-biased latch mechanism.The mechanism 360 is sufficiently retracted by the solenoid to allow thetrap door 356 to pivot downwardly to its deployed position.

With reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, after the prescription bag 212 isdropped from the dispense bin 310, the trap door 356 is moved to itsclosed or non-deployed position. To accomplish this, the dispense bindrive motor 344 is activated to pivot the dispense bin 310 to itsdeployed position. While the dispense bin 310 deploys, the trap door 356contacts a stationary bar 362 spaced from the dispense bin 310.Continued pivoting of the dispense bin 310 causes the trap door 356 topivot relative to the dispense bin 310. As shown in FIG. 16, before thedispense bin 310 reaches its deployed position, the trap door 356engages the latch mechanism 360 and causes the latch mechanism 360 toretract against its spring bias until the trap door 356 clears the latchmechanism 360, at which time the latch mechanism 360 springs outwardlyto secure the trap door 356 in its closed or non-deployed position.

More than one dispense bin 310 or pickup location may be incorporatedinto the unit 100 if it is desired to service more than one customer ata given time. Further, additional shuttle assemblies 208 may beincorporated into the unit 100 to service the additional customers or topick multiple prescription bags 212 at one time. The unit 100 may alsobe configured as a double-wide or a triple-wide unit (not shown), suchthat two or three of the illustrated storage units 100 may beincorporated into a single housing. In such a double-wide or triple-wideunit, one or more transfer mechanisms (e.g., conveyor belts, etc.) maybe utilized to transfer a prescription bag 212 between the individualstorage units 100 in the double-wide or triple-wide units. For example,a shuttle assembly 208 of a first unit 100 may deposit a prescriptionbag 212 on the conveyor belt, which may transport the bag 212 to asecond unit 100 in the double-wide or triple-wide unit. The conveyorbelt may then drop the bag 212 directly into the dispense bin 310 of thesecond unit 100.

With reference to FIG. 28, the shuttle assembly 208 may also deliver theprescription bag 212 to the rear of the housing 102 for the bag 212 tobe dispensed from the rear of the housing 102. This may be desirablewhen the pharmacist or technician wants to access one particularprescription bag 212 in the housing 102, rather than manually accessinga particular tray 214 in the housing. A chute 560 may be located in thehousing 102 and pivotable with respect to the housing 102 about asubstantially horizontal axis. The chute 560 may be pivotable between asubstantially horizontal position, in which the chute 5650 may receivethe prescription bag 212 from the shuttle assembly 208, and asubstantially vertical position, in which the bag 212 may slide down thechute 560 for deposit in a bin 564. The bin 564 may be removably coupledto the housing 102, such that the pharmacist or technician may detachthe bin 564 from the housing 102 to transport the dispensed bags 212.

FIG. 17 illustrates a close-up view of the shuttle assembly 208 reading,identifying, and selecting a particular prescription bag 212 from aparticular distribution tray 214. The shuttle assembly 208 utilizes itsbarcode reader 210 to read the barcode 406 on the label 402 that islocated on the prescription bag 212. Alternatively, various forms ofelectronic identification tags containing information relevant to thecustomer and/or the prescription may be applied to the prescription bag212. Accordingly, a means to read these tags may be used in place of thebarcode reader 210.

The prescription bag 212 may include labels 402 on each side of the bag212, such that the barcode reader 210 may read the barcode 406 toidentify the bag 212 from either side of the bag 212 by reference orquery of the database. The distribution trays 214 include self-aligningV-notches 408 so that the label 402 of each bag is accurately positionedin the distribution tray 214 to facilitate reading of the barcodes 406by the barcode reader 210.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the shuttle assembly 208 includes a mechanism(e.g., hooks 410) for engaging corresponding openings or apertures 412in the prescription bag 212 to remove the prescription bag 212 from thetray 214. With reference to FIG. 6, the hooks 410 are fixed to a singleshaft (not shown) passing through the shuttle assembly 208. A hook drivemotor 364 includes a pinion 366 coupled thereto to drivably engage adriven gear 368 fixed to the common shaft of the hooks 410. As such,rotation of the pinion 366 causes the hooks 410 to pivot about theircommon shaft between an “up” or raised position, and a “down” or loweredposition. The hook drive motor 364 may interface with the controller128, which may selectively activate the hook drive motor 364 whenprompted by the computer 124. Alternatively, a multiple-gear gear trainmay be utilized between the pinion 366 and the driven gear 368 on thecommon shaft of the hooks 410. Further, other known drive structures maybe utilized to pivot the hooks 410 between their up and down positions.

One or more switches 370 may be utilized to detect the position of thehooks 410. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, one switch 370 may be utilized todetect the up position of the hooks 410, while a second switch 370 maybe utilized to detect the down position of the hooks 410. The switches370 may interface with the controller 128 and the computer 124 todetermine when to deactivate the hook drive motor 364.

The hooks 410 may be maneuvered to disengage the apertures 412 in theprescription bag 212 when the prescription bag 212 is to be dropped intothe dispense bin 310. Alternatively, the shuttle assembly 208 mayutilize different means for selecting the prescription bags 212, suchas, for example, suction, magnets, grabbers, holders, and so forth. Assuch, the prescription bags 212 may incorporate corresponding structureor features, depending upon the different means for selecting theprescription bags 212, to allow accurate and precise picking of theprescription bags 212. For example, grabbers are particularly suited topick products having a consistent shape and size (e.g., DVD's). Further,such products may not require bags or other containers for vending, andmay be directly grasped by the grabbers.

FIG. 2 illustrates the rear of housing 102, which is accessed when theunit 100 is to be reloaded with additional prescription bags 212.Alternatively, the access door 313 may be opened to allow the housing102 to be accessed from the front for reloading.

The housing 102 may include one or more rear doors 602, which may belocked by electronic solenoids (not shown). The electronic solenoids maybe controlled by the computer 124 and the controller 128 to lock andunlock the rear doors 602. The pharmacist or technician may utilizeanother computer (e.g., the computer or computer network in thepharmacy) to interface with the computer 124 to remotely actuate theelectronic solenoids to lock or unlock the rear doors 602.Alternatively, the pharmacist or technician may utilize a keypad (notshown) positioned on the housing 102 to interface with the computer 124to lock or unlock the rear doors 602. The computer 124 may also be usedto interface with the computer or computer network in the pharmacy tomaintain an inventory of the prescription bags 212 in the unit 100. Thecomputer 124 may further be used to interface with the computer orcomputer network in the pharmacy to access information specific to thecustomer, the customer's prescription, and/or the prescription bag 212.

The rear of the housing 102 may further include means to communicatewith the technician or system operator to display whether the system isprepared to be accessed and reloaded. For example, lights 606 may beprovided to communicate with the technician or operator, such as a redlight may indicate that the machine is in operation and for the operatorto wait to open the rear doors 602 or to pull out distribution trays 214(see FIGS. 17 and 19). Further, a green light may signal to thetechnician or operator that the rear doors 602 may be opened and thatdistribution trays 214 may be removed from the unit 100 to be reloadedor inventoried.

When the unit 100 is idle, all of the platforms 216 may be moved totheir lowest positions in the housing 102 so that bags 212 may not beremoved from the distribution trays 214 without a distribution tray 214being pulled out of the housing 102. In addition, the platforms 216 maybe moved to their lowest positions in the housing 102 when the accessdoor 313 or the rear doors 602 are opened. One or more tray sensors 576(see FIG. 17) on the platforms 216 may signal the computer 124 and/orthe controller 128 when a particular tray 214 is removed from aparticular platform 216. If one or more trays 214 are removed from anyof the platforms 216, those trays 214 that were removed are identifiedby the one or more tray sensors 576 so that only those removed trays 214may be re-inventoried to determine or verify the contents of the trays214. The inventory process as performed by the shuttle assembly 208 isdiscussed in greater detail below.

As shown in FIG. 19, different sizes of trays 214 may be utilized in theunit 100. More particularly, the trays 214 may be configured in astandard size to receive prescription bags 212 of standard size, and awide size to receive prescription bags 212 larger than thestandard-sized bags 212. The platforms 216 may also be specificallyconfigured to receive any of a number of different size trays 214,including the standard size and wide size trays 214. More particularly,the platforms 216 may include a plurality of guides 568, with each guide568 being configured to receive one tray 214. The guides 568 may bepermanently fixed (e.g., by welding, etc.) to the platforms 216 orreleasably coupled (e.g., by fastening, using quick-release connectors,etc.) to the platforms 216. The platforms 216 and/or the guides 568 maybe changed-out or re-configured on the installation site of the unit 100to receive any of a number of different size trays 214.

FIG. 18 illustrates a pharmacist or technician filling prescriptions byplacing a prescribed item 902 into the prescription bag 212. Afterplacing the prescribed item 902 into the bag 212, the pharmacist ortechnician may close the bag 212 by removing the backing 528 and foldingover the label 402 as described above. The pharmacist or technician maythen use a barcode scanner (not shown) to scan the barcode 406 on thelabel 402 to match the prescribed item 902 and the prescription bag 212to a customer in a database on the pharmacy's computer network.

The bag 212 may then be placed in any random location in thedistribution tray 214 so that the bag 212 is captured between the pairof opposing notches 408. The pharmacist or technician may load the trays214 with the prescription bags 212 at a remote location from the unit100, such as a countertop in the pharmacy. The pharmacist or technicianmay access the rear of the housing 102 via the rear doors 602 and placethe filled distribution tray 214 into an open guide 568. The pharmacistor technician may repeat this process as many times as necessary toplace new prescription bags 212 into the unit 100 or to fill empty slotsin the distribution trays 214.

The unit 100 may also include an auxiliary door (not shown) in one orboth of the access door 313 and the rear doors 602 of sufficient size toallow a single tray 214 to be inserted or removed from the housing 102without opening the access door 313 or the rear doors 602. Such anauxiliary door may allow reloading or restocking the unit 100 withouttaking the unit 100 off-line.

In addition, the unit 100 may utilize a hopper (not shown) to facilitateloading, re-loading, or restocking the unit 100 with new prescriptionbags 212. For example, the pharmacist or technician may deposit the bags212 in the hopper, and the shuttle assembly 208, alone or in combinationwith other components, may pick the bags 212 and load the bags 212 intoa random location in the unit 100.

The unit 100 may be utilized at a location inside of a store, such asadjacent to a pharmacy counter. With reference to FIG. 24, the unit 100may also be adjustable to account for pharmacies that are located onraised platforms 372. More particularly, the housing 102 of the unit 100may be located on the same level as the pharmacist or technician who isstanding on the raised platform 372, while the access door 313 includingthe customer interface components (i.e., the touch screen 104, magneticstripe card reader 105 and/or credit card reader 106, barcode scanner107, signature pad 304, receipt dispense opening 306, camera 308, anddispense bin 310) may be located at the same level as the customer, whois standing at a level or an elevation below the raised platform 372.This facilitates access into the housing 102 by the pharmacist ortechnician, while also facilitating access to the above-identifiedcustomer interface components by the customer. If a unit 100 wereconfigured for use on a raised platform like that discussed above, thecomputer 124 may be configured appropriately to maneuver the shuttleassembly 208 in such a path to accommodate for the height differencebetween the dispense bin 310 and the housing 102.

The unit 100 may allow the customers to select, purchase, and receivetheir prescription drugs, or other consumer items effectively withouthuman interaction in the store. More particularly, customers maypurchase their prescription drugs without direct contact with thepharmacist or technician responsible for filing the customer'sprescription. In such a capacity, the unit 100 effectively functions asan automated storage facility for storing prescription bags 212 in alocation accessible to the customer, even during times when the store orpharmacy is closed. In addition, the unit 100 may be utilized outside ofa store location, such as in an automobile drive-through system so thatthe customer may purchase their prescription bags 212 or other goodswhile remaining in their automobile.

With reference to FIG. 25, a process for loading the unit 100 isschematically illustrated. The loading process allows a pharmacist or atechnician to replace empty trays 214 with filled trays 214 and/or fillempty slots in partially-empty trays 214 with new prescription bags 212containing finished prescriptions.

In creating a finished prescription, as is customary, the pharmacistfirst receives a prescription for a customer from an authorized medicalprofessional, selects an appropriate prescription drug to fill thecustomer's prescription, and then fills the container 902 with theselected prescription drug to fill the prescription. The pharmacist maythen insert the container 902 into the prescription bag 212 and eithertransfer a label 402 including a barcode 406 from the prescriptiondocumentation to the bag 212 to identify the contents of the container902 and/or the bag 212, or use a barcode reader to scan a pre-printedbarcode on the bag 212 and then scan the barcode 406 associated withthat prescription to correlate a particular bag 212 to a particularprescription in the database program of the computer 124. The pharmacistor technician may then insert the prescription bags 212 into one or moretrays 214 for deposit into the unit 100, or the prescription bags 212may be deposited into empty slots in partially-empty trays 214 duringthe loading process.

To load the unit 100, the pharmacist or technician may first initiate asequence for unlocking the rear doors 602. During the sequence to unlockthe rear doors 602, the controller 128 may interface with the computer124 to request permission to unlock the rear doors 602. If the unit 100is not in use by a customer, the touch screen 104 may display a messageindicating the unit 100 is out of service, and the controller 128receives a signal from the computer 124 to unlock the rear doors 602.After the rear doors 602 are unlocked, the pharmacist or technician mayvisually identify empty trays 214 and replace any empty trays 214 withfilled trays 214 containing new prescription bags 212. The trays 214 maybe removed and/or replaced in random locations in the unit 100. In otherwords, the trays 214 are not associated with permanent locations in theunit 100. The pharmacist or technician may also identify which trays arepartially empty so that new prescription bags 212 may be inserted in theempty slots in the partially empty trays 214. The pharmacist ortechnician may identify which trays 214 are empty or partially empty byreferencing indicator lights 228 (see FIG. 19) located adjacent orbeneath the trays 214. The indicator lights 228 (e.g., bi-color LED's)may be varied between different colors and/or intensities (i.e.,flashing) by the computer 124 and/or controller 128 to indicate varioustray states or fill levels (e.g., a full tray 214, an empty tray 214, ora partially-empty tray 214). For example, the indicator lights 228 mayflash green for a corresponding tray 214 containing bags 212 that shouldbe removed due to passing of a pick-up date or an expiration date.

After the new prescription bags 212 have been deposited into the unit100, the pharmacist or technician closes and locks the rear doors 602.The controller 128 may then interface with the computer 124 to relaywhich trays 214 were accessed by the pharmacist or technician in orderto update the database program in the computer 124 to ascertain anaccurate inventory of the prescription bags 212 in the unit 100. Theupdated inventory of prescription bags 212 in the unit 100 is performedby the shuttle assembly 208 passing over the new prescription bags 212and reading their barcodes 406 with the barcode reader 210. To completethe loading process, the computer 124 may prompt the touch screen 104 todisplay a message indicating the unit 100 is back in service.

The unit 100 may also automatically consolidate partially-filled trays214 without any input from the pharmacist or technician. For example,multiple partially-filled trays 214 may be identified while the shuttleassembly 208 re-inventories the bags 212 in the unit 100. The computer124 and/or controller 128 may then re-assign the bags 212 in one of thepartially-filled trays 214 to fill empty slots in other partially-filledtrays 214. The controller 128 may then direct the shuttle assembly 208to reposition the bags 212 accordingly. Prescription bags 212 containingexpired filled prescriptions or expired products may be repositioned toa specific tray 214 for the pharmacist or technician to remove from theunit 100.

With reference to FIG. 26, a process for dispensing the prescriptionbags 212 is schematically illustrated. The dispensing process may beinitiated by a customer touching the touch screen 104, which may displaya greeting message to the customer. Then, the customer may be instructedto identify themselves by, for example, sliding their credit cardthrough an identification card reader (e.g., magnetic strip card reader105 or credit card reader 106). The customer may also have theirpharmacy discount card or prescription drug card scanned by the barcodescanner 107 for supplemental or primary identification purposes.

The database program in the computer 124 may then compare the customer'sidentity with the inventory of prescription bags 212 stored in the unit100. If a prescription bag 212 corresponding to the customer is notfound in the unit 100, the computer 124 may prompt the touch screen 104to display a message referring the customer to the pharmacist or thetechnician for assistance. If a prescription bag 212 corresponding tothe customer is found in the unit 100, the computer 124 may prompt thetouch screen 104 to display a message displaying the customer's name andrequesting the customer enter a password to verify their identity. Sucha password may include a user-chosen password or a pre-assigned PIN thatis stored locally in the database program of the computer 124 orremotely on another database program. If the customer enters anincorrect password or PIN, they may be re-directed back to thepassword-entry message one or more times before the computer 124 promptsthe touch screen 104 to display a message instructing the customer oftheir invalid password or PIN. From this message, the computer 124 mayprompt the touch screen 104 to return to the greeting message at thebeginning of the dispensing process.

If the customer enters a password or PIN that is verified by thecomputer 124, the computer 124 may then query the database program tocheck the number of prescription bags 212 corresponding to the customerthat are stored in the unit 100. The computer 124 may then prompt thetouch screen 104 to display a message listing all of the prescriptionbags 212 corresponding to the customer that are stored in the unit 100.The customer may choose to purchase one, some, or all of theprescription bags 212 by touching/selecting each desired prescriptiondisplayed on the touch screen 104. Alternatively, if the customer loggedin to the unit 100 utilizing the touch screen 104 rather than the creditcard reader 106, the customer will be prompted through a paymentselection process after selecting their desired prescriptions. Such apayment selection process can include being prompted to enter a creditcard into the credit card reader 106 or entering cash into the cashacceptor.

If the customer chooses to continue with the transaction, the computer124 may prompt the touch screen 104 to display a message instructing thecustomer to sign their name on a signature pad 304 to finalize theirpurchase of the selected prescriptions. The customer's signature isrecorded electronically by the computer 124. If the customer chooses notto sign the signature pad 304, the computer 124 may prompt the touchscreen 104 to return to the greeting message at the beginning of thedispensing process. However, if the customer signs the signature pad304, the computer 124 may prompt the security camera 308 to photographthe customer to produce a photographic record of the transaction.Additionally, the customer's signature may be captured as required forthird party insurance or MediCal transactions, acknowledgement ofprescriptions that do not have a child restraint cap, or otherregulatory information.

After taking the photograph, the computer 124 may interface with thecontroller 128 to provide instructions relating the location of theselected prescription bags 212. Further, the shuttle assembly 208 andthe platforms 216 may be maneuvered as described above and in theflowchart illustrated in FIG. 27. After all of the selected prescriptionbags 212 are dispensed into the dispense bin 310, the computer 124 mayprompt the touch screen 104 to display a message instructing thecustomer to remove the prescription bags 212 from the dispense bin 310.The computer 124 may then interface with the controller 128 and/or othersensors or components in the unit 100 to verify the dispensing of theprescription bags 212 and/or the recovery of the prescription bags 212from the dispense bin 310.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist withinthe scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in thefollowing claims.

1. A random access and random load dispensing unit, comprising: ahousing; at least one support located in the housing and defining afirst axis; a plurality of platforms movable along the support along thefirst axis; a plurality of bins supported on the platforms, the binsbeing movable with the platforms; and a shuttle assembly movable alongthe first axis and further movable along a second axis substantiallyperpendicular to the first axis between the plurality of platforms toaccess and retrieve products stored in the bins.
 2. The dispensing unitof claim 1, further comprising a carriage movable along the support andthe first axis, wherein the shuttle assembly is movable along thecarriage from a first side of the housing to a second side of thehousing opposite the first side.
 3. The dispensing unit of claim 2,further comprising at least one carriage support movable along thesupport and the first axis, wherein the carriage is movable along thecarriage support from a front portion of the housing to a rear portionof the housing.
 4. The dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein the shuttleassembly includes a barcode reader to scan barcodes associated with theproducts stored in the bins.
 5. The dispensing unit of claim 4, whereinthe shuttle assembly includes a sensor separate from the barcode reader,and wherein the sensor is configured to detect the products stored inthe bins.
 6. The dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein the shuttleassembly includes: at least one hook; and a motor drivably coupled tothe hook to pivot the hook between a raised position and a loweredposition.
 7. A random access and random load dispensing unit,comprising: a housing; a shuttle assembly movable in the housing toaccess and retrieve products stored in random locations in the housing;an access door pivotably coupled to the housing; a plurality of customerinterface components coupled to the access door, at least one of thecustomer interface components being configured to determine an identityof a customer; a computer in communication with the customer interfacecomponents, the computer being able to match the customer with at leastone of the products stored in the random locations in the housing; and acontroller in communication with the computer for operating the shuttleassembly, the shuttle assembly being directed to the location in thehousing to retrieve at least one product for the customer.
 8. Thedispensing unit of claim 7, further comprising: at least one supportlocated in the housing and defining a first axis; a plurality ofplatforms movable along the support and the first axis; a plurality ofbins supported on the platforms; and a carriage movable along the firstaxis, wherein the shuttle assembly is movable along the carriage from afirst side of the housing to a second side of the housing opposite thefirst side.
 9. The dispensing unit of claim 8, further comprising atleast one carriage support movable along the first axis, wherein thecarriage is movable along the carriage support from a front portion ofthe housing to a rear portion of the housing.
 10. The dispensing unit ofclaim 7, wherein the shuttle assembly includes a barcode reader to scanbarcodes associated with the products stored in the housing.
 11. Thedispensing unit of claim 10, wherein the shuttle assembly includes asensor separate from the barcode reader, and wherein the sensor isconfigured to detect the products stored in the bins.
 12. The dispensingunit of claim 7, wherein the shuttle assembly includes: at least onehook; and a motor drivably coupled to the hook to pivot the hook betweena raised position and a lowered position.
 13. A dispensing unit forstoring and delivering items associated with a specific consumercomprising: a housing; a user interface coupled to the housing; thehousing enclosing a plurality of storage locations arranged threedimensionally, wherein a storage location is capable of storing one ormore distinct, consumer specific items, the consumer specific itemsbeing locatable at the storage locations without a predetermined orderand coupled with identifying information associating the item with aspecific consumer; an information sensor to sense the identifyinginformation; a computer communicating with the information sensor, andconfigured to associate the consumer specific item to a storage locationwithin the dispenser; and a retrieving assembly communicating with thecomputer, and configured to translate the consumer specific item to alocation accessible to the consumer for whom the item has beenassociated.
 14. The dispensing unit of claim 13, wherein the computerassociates the consumer specific item with a storage location after theitem has been placed at the storage location.
 15. The dispensing unit ofclaim 13, wherein at least one consumer specific item is a prescriptionmedication filled by a pharmacy.
 16. The dispensing unit of claim 13further comprising a consumer identification device selected from agroup consisting of a magnetic stripe card reader, a fingerprint reader,a retinal scanner, a barcode scanner, touchscreen and a credit cardreader.
 17. The dispensing unit of claim 13, wherein the user interfacecomprises a touchscreen.
 18. The dispensing unit of claim 17, whereinthe touchscreen accepts identifying information selected from a groupconsisting of: a user name, a password, a prescription number, a productidentifying number, a birth date, a social security number, a signature,and a personal identification number.
 19. The dispensing unit of claim13, wherein the retrieving assembly is configured to maneuver throughthe dispenser, locate the consumer specific product, and deliver theconsumer specific item to the consumer.
 20. The dispensing unit of claim19, further comprising at least one support located in the housing anddefining a first axis, and wherein the retrieving assembly comprises ashuttle assembly movable along a second axis substantively perpendicularto the first axis to access and retrieve consumer specific items locatedat the storage location.
 21. The dispensing unit of claim 20, furthercomprising a carriage movable along the support and the first axis,wherein the shuttle assembly is movable along the carriage from a firstside of the housing to a second side of the housing opposite the firstside.
 22. The dispensing unit of claim 21, further comprising at leastone carriage support movable along the support and the first axis,wherein the carriage is movable along the carriage support from a frontportion of the housing to a rear portion of the housing.
 23. Thedispensing unit of claim 22, wherein the shuttle assembly furthercomprises a picker assembly.
 24. The dispensing unit of claim 19,wherein the information sensor is coupled to the retrieving assembly.25. The dispensing unit of claim 24, wherein the shuttle assemblyincludes a barcode reader to sense the identifying information coupledto the consumer specific items.
 26. The dispensing unit of claim 13wherein the item identifying information is located on a tag.
 27. Thedispensing unit of claim 26, wherein the tag comprises a tag selectedfrom a group consisting of a bar-coded tag and an electronicidentification tag.
 28. The dispensing unit of claim 13, wherein atleast on of the consumer specific items are contained within acontainer.
 29. The dispensing unit of claim 28, wherein the container isa bag.
 30. The dispensing unit of claim 29, wherein the identifyinginformation is coupled to the bag.
 31. The dispensing unit of claim 13,further comprising a distribution bin for housing at least one of theplurality of storage locations.
 32. The dispensing unit of claim 26,further comprising a plurality of bins for housing storage locations.33. The dispensing unit of claim 32, wherein the plurality ofdistribution bins house substantially all of the storage locations. 34.The dispensing unit of claim 31, wherein the distribution bin comprisesa pair of substantially aligned notches to define a storage location.35. The dispensing unit of claim 34, wherein the distribution binfurther comprises a plurality of substantially parallel pairs of alignednotches, each pair defining a different storage location.
 36. Thedispensing unit of claims 33, wherein the distribution bin is removablefrom the dispenser.
 37. The dispensing unit of claim 31, wherein thedispenser is configured to allow the placement of the consumer specificitems into the distribution bins before placement of the bin into thedispenser.
 38. The dispensing unit of claim 13, wherein the informationsensing device is a barcode reader, and the identifying information iscontained on a barcode.
 39. The dispensing unit of claim 13 furthercomprising a controller in communication with the computer and theretrieving assembly.
 40. The dispensing unit of claim 13, wherein thecomputer is located remotely from the housing.
 41. A dispensing unit forstoring and delivering items associated with a specific consumercomprising: a housing comprising a first axis, a second axis, dispenselocation, and a third axis, wherein the three axis are perpendicular toone another; a computer; a consumer interface device coupled to thehousing; a first plurality of storage locations located in the planeformed by the first and the second axis, a second plurality of storagelocations located in the plane formed by the first and third axis, and athird plurality of storage locations located in the plane formed by thesecond and third axis, wherein a storage location is capable of storinga distinct item associated with a specific consumer; a delivery assemblycommunicating with the computer, and configured to move aconsumer-associated item from a storage location to a dispense location;an information sensing device communicating with the computer, andcapable of providing information about the consumer associated itemsstored within the dispensing unit; and wherein the computer can directthe delivery assembly to deliver an item associated with the consumerwho interacts with the consumer interface and requests delivery.
 42. Thedispensing unit of claim 41, wherein the consumer associated item is apharmacy filled prescription.
 43. The dispensing unit of claim 41,further comprising a dispense point, and wherein the delivery assemblyis configured to translate a consumer specific item from a randomlocation to the dispense point.
 44. The dispensing unit of claim 41,wherein the consumer interface comprises interface equipment selectedfrom a group consisting of: a touchscreen, a magnetic stripe cardreader, a fingerprint reader, a retinal scanner, a credit card reader,and a barcode reader.
 45. The dispensing unit of claim 44, wherein theconsumer interface device is configured to accept consumer identifyinginformation.
 46. The dispensing unit of claim 45, wherein the consumeridentifying information comprises information selected from a groupconsisting of: a user name, a password, a prescription number, a productidentifying number, a birth date, a social security number, a signature,and a personal identification number.
 47. The dispensing unit of claim41, wherein the dispensing unit is configured to deliver the consumerassociated item after verifying the identity of the consumer andidentifying the storage location of the consumer-associated item. 48.The dispensing unit of claim 41, wherein the delivery assembly is apicker assembly.
 49. The dispensing unit of claim 41, wherein theconsumer specific items are contained within containers, the containerscoupled to a tag containing the identifying information.
 50. Thedispensing unit of claim 49, wherein the container is a bag.
 51. Thedispensing unit of claim 49, wherein the tag comprises a tag selectedfrom a group consisting of: a bar-coded tag and an electronicidentification tag.
 52. The dispensing unit of claim 51, wherein theinformation contained on the tag is used to associate the consumerspecific item to the unique storage location.
 53. The dispensing unit ofclaim 41, wherein at least one of the storage locations is containedwithin a distribution bin.
 54. The dispensing unit of claim 53, whereinsubstantially all of the unique storage locations are contained within aplurality of distribution bins.
 55. The dispensing unit of claim 53,wherein the distribution bin comprises a pair of substantially alignednotches to define a storage location.
 56. The dispensing unit of claim55, wherein the distribution bin further comprises a plurality ofsubstantially parallel pairs of aligned notches, each pair defining adifferent storage location.
 57. The dispensing unit of claims 55,wherein the distribution bin is removable from the dispensing unit. 58.The dispensing unit of claim 53, wherein the dispensing unit isconfigured to allow the placement of consumer specific items into thedistribution bin before placement of the bin into the dispensing unit.59. The dispensing unit of claim 41, wherein the dispensing unit isconfigured to associate a randomly placed consumer specific items with astorage location after the items is placed into the dispensing unit. 60.The dispensing unit of claim 41, wherein the delivery assembly isconfigured to move a previously stored, consumer specific item from afirst storage location to a second storage location within thedispensing unit and the dispensing unit is further configured toassociate the consumer specific item to the second unique storagelocation.
 61. The dispensing unit of claim 41, wherein the dispensingunit is located within a retail pharmacy store.
 62. A dispensing unit,comprising: a housing; a user interface coupled to the housing fordetermining an identity of a consumer; at least one substantiallyvertically-oriented support defining a first axis and located in thehousing; a plurality of platforms movable along the first axis andcoupled to the support; a plurality of bins supported on the platforms,the bins being movable with the platforms to selectively allow only thebins on one of the plurality of platforms to be accessed at a giventime; a shuttle assembly movable along the first axis, the shuttleassembly being further movable along a second axis and a third axiscoplanar with the second axis, the second and third axes beingsubstantially perpendicular to the first axis and to each other, theshuttle assembly being movable along the second and third axes betweenthe plurality of platforms to access and retrieve products stored in thebins; a computer in communication with the consumer interface and theshuttle assembly; a dispense bin located in the housing, to receiveproducts from the shuttle assembly.
 63. A dispensing unit for storingand delivering items associated with a specific consumer comprising: ahousing; a means for consumer interface coupled to the housing; thehousing enclosing a plurality of distinct storage locations in threedimensions, wherein a storage location is capable of storing one or moreconsumer specific items, the consumer specific items being randomlylocatable at the storage locations and coupled with items identifyinginformation for associating the items with a specific consumer; asensing means for sensing the items identifying information; a databasefor storing the item identifying information sensed by the sensingmeans; a delivery means for delivering the consumer specific product toan appropriate consumer; a computer communicating with the means forconsumer interface, the sensing means, the database, and the deliverymeans, for controlling the delivery means to locate and deliver theconsumer specific items to the consumer interacting with the means forconsumer interface.
 64. The dispensing unit of claim 63, wherein themeans for consumer interface comprises a touchscreen.
 65. The dispensingunit of claim 63, wherein the consumer interface comprises multiplecomponents.
 66. The dispensing unit of claim 63, wherein the pluralityof distinct storage locations are defined by a three dimensional storagemeans.
 67. The dispensing unit of claim 66, wherein the threedimensional storage means comprises a plurality of parallel shelves anda plurality of bins located on the shelves.
 68. The dispensing unit ofclaim 67, wherein the plurality of parallel shelves are movable to allowthe delivery means to access the storage locations.
 69. The dispensingunit of claim 64, further comprising a consumer identification deviceselected from a group consisting of: a magnetic stripe card reader, afingerprint reader, a retinal scanner, a barcode scanner, touchscreenand a credit card reader.
 70. The dispensing unit of claim 64, whereinthe delivery means further comprises a picker assembly.
 71. Thedispensing unit of claim 64, wherein the delivery means is coupled tothe sensing means.
 72. The dispensing unit of claim 71, wherein thedispensing means and the sensing means translate within the dispensingdevice.
 73. The dispensing unit of claim 72, wherein the informationsensing device is a barcode reader.
 74. The dispensing unit of claim 63,wherein the computer means further comprises a controller incommunication the delivery means.
 75. The dispensing unit of claim 63,wherein the computer is located remotely from the housing.